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OORNHARVESTER;

No. 311,056.- Patented Jan. zoflaa.

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CORN HARVESTER. No. 311,056. Patented Jan. 20, 1885.

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- 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. A. S. AVERY & L. W. OSBORN.

CORN HARVESTER.

No. 31150.56. PatentedJan. 20, 1885.

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ASHBEL S. AVERY AND LUKE W. OSBORN, OF VALNUT, IOWA; SAID OS` BORN ASSIGNOR OF THREE TVVENTY-FOURTHS TO II. S. BUTLER, OF DES MOINES, IOVA.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,056, dated January 20, 1885.

l Appication filed December 4, 1883. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom may concern: v Beit known that we, AsHBEL S. AVERY an LUKE W. OsBoRN, of Walnut, in the county of Pottawattamie and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Corn-Harvester, of

which the following is a specification.

The objectof our invention is to save time, labor, and expense in gathering and husking corn-crops.

It consists in constructing a traction-carriage adapted to be advanced astride of a row of corn in the iield, and provided with the devices and combination of devices as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a longitudinal vertical section of our machine. Fig. 2 is a top plan View, omitting the stalk lifting and gathering mechanism, and showing 2o the driving mechanism. Fig. 3 is a transverse section showing thc connection between the driving mechanism of the rollers and the rear and elevated portion of the stalkgathering mechanism. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a portion ofthe mechanism showing the relative positions of the stalk-supporting rollers, earseparating mechanism, husking-rollers,guard, andlrollercleaningdevice. Figisatopplan view of the stalk elevating, gathering, and di- 3o recting mechanism. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the conveyingchain, showing a link having a linger formed integral therewith. Fig. 7 is a detail plan view showing a stalksupporting bar iiXed over a roller. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of mechanism for operating the reciprocating breaker. Fig. 9 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of our mating husking-rollers. Fig. 10 is a top view of our roller-cleaning device. Fig. 1l is a cross-section of the guide bars fixed to the inclined platforms.

A A are the side 'pieces of an oblong carriage-frame.

A are cross-pieces rigidly xed to the side 4 5 pieces. This frame may be made of wood or metal, and vary in size and weight as desired.` AZ are traction-wheels mounted on aXle A3, fixed in bearings in the side pieces, A.

AL are poles fixed to the front ends of the side pieces, A, of the frame. They are pro- 5o vided with hitching devices A5 at their forward ends that extend outward to adapt them to be connect-ed with horses on the opposite sides of the machine. B is an evener pivoted to the rear and center of the carriage-frame.

B are single-trees connected with the ends of the evener by means of ropes, chains, or rods B2. By thus arranging the hitching devices the horses are hitched at thefront of the 6o machine on thel opposite sides of a row of corn, while the draft is applied to the rear of the machine which strides the row.

B3 are caster-wheels that support the 'front end of the machine.

C C are platforms fixed in the same plane, inclined upward from the front portion of the frame to support the stalk elevating, directing, and gathering devices. A space between the adjacent and parallel edges of these plat-forms 7o C allows the passage of the stalks.

O are long bars or frames hinged to the front portions of the platforms O, and extending lorward to v run under and assist in elevating lodged andleaningstalks. They are provided 7 5 with wheels a to support their front ends and facilitate their advance close to the ground.

c a are sprocket-wheels mounted on the upper side of each platform C, and secured by means of a bracket, a, that extends from 8o the shaft of one wheel to the shaft ofthe other, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 5.

am is a sprocket-wh eel at the rear outer corner of each platform C, fixed to the top of the drivingshaft b, that has its bearings formed in or xed to the platform.

b is an adjustable bracket fixed to the platform O, and extending outward and carrying the guide-pulley b, that directs the endless chain and regulates its tension.

b is an endless chain placed over the wheels a a a" and guide-pulley b.

c is a sprocket-wheel fixed to the upper end of the shaftc of the sprocket-wheel a.

c is a pulley mounted :in the lower and free end of the hinged frame C.

0 is an endless chain or belt placed over the sprocket-wheel c and pulley c, to be operated in connection with the endless chain b. These belts or chains 0 are provided with teeth or pins that project outward to aid in elevating lodged and leaning stalks, when the front ends of thehinged frames C run under the same, as illustrated in Fig. 1. rlhe teeth of the endless chains c as they rise above the pulleys c will engage the stalks and pull them along as they ascend toward the chains b.

(Z are fingers formed on or fixed to links in the cha-ins b, to extend horizontally, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to engage the cornstalks that stand erect or that are elevated by the belts c, and to gather and direct them relative to the ear-picking mechanism as the machine is advancing astride ofa row of corn.

CZ (shown in Fig. 6) is a chain-link formed integral with the finger d. It is open at one end as required to be engaged by the hook or clasp ofthe adjacent link, and has a hook projecting from its opposite and closed end, and adapted to engage the open end of the next link.

d is an elbow-shaped cam or bent finger that projects at right angles from the finger d, to traverse a groove or guideway fixed to the platform C for the purpose of keeping the finger d rigid while it is in contact with the cornstalks and advancing from the front inner corner of the platform C to the wheel a.

f andf are parallel guide-bars fixed on top of the bracket c by means of arms f in such a manner that the bent fingers d will project upward between them and f', and the fingers d project horizontally underneath the outer bars, f, that extend partially around the wheels a a.

g g are bevel gear-wheels fixed to the lower ends of the shafts b, under the rear ends ofthe platform C, to transmit motion to the endless chains b and 0', as required to elevate, gather, and direct the cornstalks.

l and 2 are parallel rollers mounted in the open front and center of the carriage-frame by means of bearingsformedin or fixed to a crosspiece, A, of the frame at their rear ends, and bearings projecting inward from the front ends of the side pieces, A,of the frame at their front ends. rlhe front ends of the rollers are tapering and their surfaces are corrugated or provided with longitudinal ribs, solid or elastic, in such a manner that they will engage the stalks and pull them downward as the machine is advanced and the rollers rotated toward each other.

h h are the bearings that support the front ends of the rollers. They are adj ustably and detachably fixed to the front ends of the side pieces, A, of the frame, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 7, or in any suitable way, as required to retain the front ends of the rollers in proper positions relative to each other.

71, are bowed fenders projecting forward horizontally from the bearings 7L and side pieces of the frame to direct leaning stalks Vfrom the poles A4 inward and into the mouth formed by the front tapering ends of the parallel rollers.

It is a driving-shaft that extends rearward from the roller 1 to the rear end of the frame through bearings formed in or attached to the frame.

71] are mating gear-wheels fixed to the ends of the rollers l and 2.

D is a gear wheel fixed to and revolving with the axle A3.

D is a counter-shaft mounted parallel to the axle, and having a pinion; D2, Yon its end to engage the wheel D, and a bevel gear-wheel, D", on its opposite end to transmit motion to the driving-shaft h by means of a bevel-pinion, vD", fixed to that shaft.

k la are rigid bars fixed pa-rallel to and immediately over the rollers l and 2, in such a manner that they will support the cornstalks while the ears are being broken off", and also prevent the ears from coming in contact with the rollers underneath, and to direct the ears over toward the husking rollers mounted at the side of the frame and in a plane below the picking-rollers l and 2.

k' are screw threaded Shanks on the front ends of the bars 7c, that extend laterally and are adj ustably fixed to the frame by means of nuts, as shown, or in any suitable way. rlhe rear ends of the bars 7c are bowed upward over the gearwheels Z on the ends of the rollers, and have slots lo, through which setscrews are passed down into the frame to adjustably connect the rear ends with the frame.

Z is a reciprocating breaker composed of a bar that has a series of projections, 3 i 5, on its front or inner edge, and an outwardlycurved extension,-Z, at its front end.

Zl are rods formed integral with or rigidly attached to the breaker Z, and extending horizontally through bearings formed in or fixed to a frame, m, that is secured upon the main frame in such a position that it will support the sliding breaker Z in a plane immediately above the bars k.

mis a rock-shaft carried in suitable bearings on the machine, and in a parallel position with the sliding breaker Z.

mis a crank on the central portion of the rock-shaft m.

m" is a rod flexibly connected with the crank m and breaker Z.

n is a crank on the rear end of the rockshaft m', and connected with a sliding bar, n', by means of a link, a, as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

n is a hook on thev free end of' the bar n'. adapted to be engaged by a projection, o, carA ried by the gear-wheel h at the end of roller 2 in such a manner that at each revolution of the wheel h" the shaft m will be rocked outward to pull theV breaker Z in the same direction and compress a spring, 0, that is attached IOO IIO

to the sliding breaker Z and the xed frame m. The spring o' will be released when the rotating cam or projection o is disengaged from the sliding bar n, and will suddeniy force the'breaker Z with its series of teeth 4 5 to strike the butt-ends ofthe ears ol corn that are retained immediately over the rollers l and 2 and the rigid parallel bars 7c andbreak them from the stalks and push them ltoward the basking-rollers. t

Heretofore bars have been reciprocated relative to rollers that pulled the stalks downward for the purpose of breaking the ears from the stalks; but our manner of constructing and combining a reciprocating breaker and fixed parallel bars with a pair of rollersis novel and advantageous.

8 and 9 are mating husking-rollers mounted in parallel position with the picking-rollers l and 2, and at the side of the carriage-frame.

r is a bearing or support xed or pivoted to the carriage-frame.

r is a corresponding support at the rear ends of the rollers, that is ixedor adjustably connected with the main frame sothat the rear ends of the rollers, can be lowered to bring them into an inclined positioinfas indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. By placing the outside roller lower than theother a trough-like receptacle is formed between theupperzrol-ler and the side piece, A, of the frame, into which receptacle the ears of corn will fall and rest upon the lower roller and to Vbe moved rearward thereon as they are being stripped of their husks. The roller 8 has annular grooves, r, and the roller 9 is provided with series ot' teeth that project into those grooves.

r' are annular grooves in the roller9 on opposite sides of the radial teeth that project into the grooves r of the roller 8.

r are elastic collars or cushions fixed to the surfaces ofthe rollers and between their annular grooves. The shaft of the roller 8 extends to the rear end of the frame and is geared to the shaft h of the picking-roller 1, as clearl y shown in Fig. 2. .y

s is a guard or straight bar fixed; to the frame parallel to the two rollers 8 and in sach a manner that it will not allow the .ears oi corn to come in contact with the upperl hackingroller 8 as the ears are moved i arward over the roller 9. l

Heretofore an adjustable guirle has been placed over a pair ot' husking-rcllers; but our manner of fixing a rigid bar at the side of the upper roller and over the lower roller toV retain ears of corn upon the lower roller as they are advanced and stripped of their' husks is novel and advantageous in that it prevents the ears from becoming pinched between the rollers and the rollers from becoming clogged.

s(shown in Figs. 4 and 10) is a straight bar like a rake-head, that has a series of curved teeth,s,projecti'ng laterally in such a manner that their ends will enter the annular grooves r Ot' the husking-roller S) and form inclined planes that will direct the leaves or huslcs away from the rollers and allow them to drop to the ground and not to wind around the rollers to clog the machine.

3 are arms lixcd to thc head s" and projecting horizontally. rlhey have slots near their ends, through which set-screws are passed to adj ustably and detachabl y fasten the complete device to the frame of the machine parallel with the huskngrollers.

w (shown in Fig. 1) is a sheet-metal plate or shield fixed to the inner edge of the platform C to extend vertically over roller 2 to prevent the tops of the corustalks from getting caught in the reciprocating breaker Z.

x (shown in Fig. 4) represents a fixed guard plate or cover to prevent ears of corn from falling between the rollers 1 and 8 and to direct them upon the husking-roller 9.

as is a plate or guard iixed to the frame to aid in retaining the cars upon the liuskingroller.

z (shown in Fig. l) represents an endless belt or chain provided with teeth and placed over pulleys in such a manner that the teeth will engage the ears of corn upon the huskingroller 9 and move them rearward. Motion is imparted to the beltz by means of a sprocket-wheel on the drivingshat't z. over which wheel the belt passes. \Vhen the huskingrollers are inclined rearward, the belt z can bc dispensed with, and the ears will niove rearward by force of gravity to drop upon the ground or into a receptacle or conveyer that may be attached to the machine.

z" is a sprocket-wheel iixed to the shaft z'.

e" is a sprocket-wheel fixed on a short shaft, 2, that is connected with the roller drivingshaft h" by means of bevel-gears g as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

gis`an endless chain placed over the sprocket-wheels a and 2 to transmit motion to the shaft z', which drives the endless chains c', b", and z.

From the foregoing detailed description of the construction and function of each element and subcombination the unitary actions of all the operative parts and the practical operation of our complete invention will be obvious to intelligent farmers and mechanics.

We claim as our invention- 1. Acorn-harvester carriage having poles projecting forward from its opposite sides at its front end, and hitching devices projecting outward from the front ends of the poles, an evener pivoted to the rear end and center oi' the carriage, and single-trees connected with the ends ofthe evener, in the manner set forth, for the purposes stated.

2. In a eorn-harvester, the combination of a hinged bar having a supporting-wheel in its end to travel on the ground, a guide-pulley mounted on said bar on endless belt or chain passing over said guide-pulley and having ICO IIO

' the manner and for the purpose 3. Thelhingd bar or frame C', having a supportingrlfheel, a, and pulley c at its lower end, the platform C, having a sprocket-Wheel, c, and endless belt or chain, c, having teeth, arranged' and combined substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. The inclined platforms C C, the endless chains if Z, having projecting pins or teeth, the hinged bars or frames C C, having supf porting-Wheels a a, and endless chains c c, having teeth, and suitable operating mechanism, all arranged and combined to operate in specilied.

5. A chain-link having a horizontal finger, d, and vcrtical'inger d, in combination with an endless chain and fixed guide-bars to engage thelvertical finger, as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A platform, C, sprocket wheels a', a drive-wheel, a, an endless chain having links at intervals provided with lingers d and d, that project at `right angles to each other, and iXed guide-bars ff', arranged and combined substantially as and i'or the purpose shown and described.'

'7. The adjustablebars 7c 7c, in combination With t-lltenollers l and 2, to prevent the ears of corn from Gaming in contact with the rollers as th y revdlve and pull the stalks downward, in the manner set l'orth.

8. In,aeorirlarvester, the combination of a pair of rollers, two parallel rollers extended over and parallel with the rollers, and a horizontally-reciprocating striker above the par allel bars, to operate in the manner set forth, for the purposes specied.

9. The combination ofthe striker or breaker l Z', having projections 3 4 5, and rods Z", the fixed supporting frame m, the rock-shalt m', having a crank, m, means for rocking said rock-shaft, the link m", and a spring to operate in the manner set forth, for the purpose specified.

l0. The combination, with the breaker and connecting devices, as described, of the roekshai't m', having crank-arms m and a, the link n, the bar n', having a hook on its end, the rollers 1 and 2, provided with gear-Wheels, and the cam or projection o on one of said gear-wheels, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l1.A rlhe combination of two parallel husking-rollers placed horizontally in two different planes, and a rigid guard extending along the angle between the two rollers to retain the ears of corn upon the lower roller and keep them from contact with the upper roller, as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In combination with two hashing-rollers, the guards s and x, substantially as and i'or the purpose shown and described.

13. The rollers l and 2, the iiXed barsc k, a reciprocating breaker. l, the husking-rollers 8 and 9, and a iixed guard, s, arranged and combined in the manner and l'or the purpose specified.

li. The corn-harvesting machine composed ol-` the following elements, to wit: a tractionearriage adapted to be advanced astride of a row ol" corn in the iield, parallel and inclined frames or bars carrying toothed endless chains adapted to elevate lodged corn, inclined platforms, toothed endless chains carried on said platforms and adapted to move the tops of the stalksto the rear, two rollers engaging the stalks, two rigid bars to support the stalks vertically and to engage the ears on the stalks, a reciprocating bar to strike and break otl the ears l'rom the stalks supported by the rollers and rigid bars, a pair of lmsking-rollers, a roller-cleaning device, and suitable operating mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes shown and described.

ASIIBEL S. AVERY. LUKE YV. OSBORN.

Vi tn esses:

lnAD T. SPANGLER, J. YV. HENRY. 

